Shared decision making is a process that allows patients and medical staff to make decisions about the therapeutic process and care, taking into account patient’s preferences and values important to them, as well as clinical aspects in conjunction with formal and ethical conditions. The process of shared decision-making requires mutual exchange of information among all persons involved in the care, and the discussion undertaken thereupon should be aimed at reaching an agreement on the implementation of both the care and therapeutic process. The practical application of the concept of shared decision-making in the medical care has a positive effect on the care and therapeutic process carried out by taking into account the individuality of the patient. This approach should be an integral part of nursing practice focused on individualized and holistic perception of the patient's needs. The scope of the paper is to present selected issues related to shared decision making.

Key words: shared decision making, nursing.